A Product of (Participation) is the first album by the English pop group Thompson Twins. It was released in June 1981 on the T Records imprint, a label created by the band and distributed through the Fame/EMI label. At the time of its release, the band were a six-piece group that did not include Alannah Currie (although she is thanked in the credits for "playing and singing" on the record). In comparison to the glamour of their later years, the group had a somewhat 'scruffy' image during this period, because they were very poor and living in squats in London.

The self-produced album had a post-punk sound that was heavily influenced by African rhythms and chants. The band had already built a strong reputation for themselves due to their live shows, where often members of the audience were encouraged to join the band onstage and pound along with them on makeshift percussion such as hubcaps and pieces of metal.

All of the songs on the album were written by the band themselves, except for two ethnic traditionals, both arranged by Tom Bailey.

In September 2008, the band's first two albums, A Product of (Participation) and Set, were released as a double CD. This version included their earliest singles, non-album tracks, and extended remixes.

Track listing

Original Album

1. "When I See You"
2. "Politics"
3. "Slave Trade"
4. "Could Be Her...Could Be You"
5. "Make Believe"
6. "Don't Go Away"
7. "The Price"
8. "Oumma Aularesso (Animal Laugh)"
9. "Anything Is Good Enough"
10. "A Product Of "
11. "Perfect Game"
12. "Vendredi Saint"

2008 Re-Issue Bonus Tracks

1. "Squares and Triangles"
2. "Could Be Her...Could Be You" (original version)
3. "Weather Station" (written and recorded by Bailey for the independent film The Onlooker)
4. "Modern Plumbing" (written by Bailey; recorded by the Blankets, a separate group that included him)
5. "She's in Love With Mystery"
6. "Fast Food"
7. "Food Style"
8. "Oumma Aularesso (Animal Laugh)" (original remixed extended version)
9. "A Dub Product"
10. "Make Believe (Let's Pretend)" (extended version)
11. "Lama Sabach Tani"

Personnel

• Tom Bailey  vocals, bass, keyboards, percussion, reeds
• Chris Bell  drums, percussion, vocals
• Peter Dodd  guitar, percussion, vocals, saxophone
• Joe Leeway  congas, percussion, vocals
• John Roog  guitar, percussion, vocals
• Jane Shorter  saxophone, percussion